With most people’s busy schedules, it is no wonder why energy drinks are so incredibly popular. Be aware, however, that these are not a silver bullet against fatigue and can come with a number of drawbacks. Below are ten reasons to avoid these high-energy drinks.
Increases Stress and Anxiety
It is not always clear how much caffeine someone is getting from one of these drinks, as they have been found to sometimes have much more of this stimulant than is advertised on the label. Caffeine overload can cause feelings of jitteriness, increase stress and anxiety and leading to racing of the heart.
Contains High Levels of Sugar
Some of these drinks also rely on sugar to boost energy levels and can contain as many as 15 teaspoons of sugar per drink! This can lead to a “sugar crash” when the effects have worn off, but also is associated with longer-term problems like increased inflammation, immunity suppression and weight gain.
Changes the Mood
Several studies have shown that those who consume these high-energy drinks regularly can deplete their serotonin levels due to excessive caffeine. Serotonin depletion has been linked to anxiety and depression.
Stresses the Organs
Caffeine causes a reaction similar to a “fight or flight” adrenaline rush and can cause the kidneys and liver as well as the heart, brain and digestive tract to work overtime. This extra stimulation can proving taxing for these organs and lead to long-term health problems.
Promotes Insomnia
A shot of caffeine might help get through the day, but the nighttime is another matter. These high-caffeine drinks can rob someone of deep and restful sleep and, ironically, cause even more fatigue the next day.
Costs the Earth!
The typical energy drink can cost around $3-4, and if someone has grown dependent upon them, this habit can wind up costing $900 a year for more. With most people strapped for cash, giving up this habit can free up money for other purposes.
Contains Artificial Sweeteners
Energy drinks marketed as “lite” or “diet” often depend on additives like aspartame. This artificial sweetener has been linked to increases in obesity as well as an array of neurological problems and is even suspected in the development of brain tumors.
Causes Adrenal Fatigue
Many people can actually feel tired after a high-caffeine drink, and this is because the adrenal system can become overtaxed due to constant stimulation. To combat this, it is important to reduce and not increase the amount of caffeine consumed.
Can Lead to Vitamin B Toxicity
Some drinks can give people too much of a good thing, particularly if they are high in Vitamin B. More than 34mg, which is the recommended daily allowance, can cause short-term problems like flushing but also long-term issues like liver and nerve damage.
Carries Potential for Allergic Reactions
Gingko biloba is an herb commonly found in these energy drinks and while it does help with mental alertness, there can be unwanted side effects if someone is sensitive to it. These include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and heart palpitations.
These are all good reasons why cutting back or altogether eliminating this kinds of drinks is a healthy idea. While they do boost short-term energy levels, they can in the long run cause fatigue and other undesirable health issues.
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